Member News: Action for Children - Becoming the advocate that I needed through an apprenticeship

Anne Marie didn’t expect to gain so many amazing opportunities as part of her apprenticeship with Action for Children. She reflects on her journey, starting with her background in care.

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Wanting to have a voice
Growing up in care, I had a difficult time. I was a very angry child and one of my biggest issues was an inability to explain what was going on for me or why I felt different to my peers. I always wanted to have a voice, or at least know that someone had a voice for me. I wanted to know that someone "got it".

During my time as an Action for Children apprentice, I’ve been able to bring that voice to the table and reflect on what I would have wanted people to say to me while I was in care.

Joining a network of apprentices
I started working at Action for Children in one of our care-experienced apprenticeship roles on the 8th of February 2022. The first ever Teams meeting that I attended was the launch of the Achieve network and I remember seeing all the people who were currently doing or had done an apprenticeship. It felt like I had joined at the perfect time.

Feeling supported by my team and the wider organisation
One of my favourite things about my job has been the level of support I receive both from my team and the wider organisation. Action for Children nominated me to join the National Implementation Board for Children’s Social Care, a board which brings together strategic leaders and people with lived experience of the care system to advise on the reform programme for children’s social care.

Getting involved in amazing work opportunities
My colleagues encouraged me to apply for a place on the It’s Our Care round table where I used the opportunity to remind MPs of their legal obligations as corporate partners. Being care-experienced myself, I jumped at the opportunity to work with the campaigns team on the It’s Our Care Campaign, assisting with coordinating the day. It was the biggest lobby of care-experienced young people Parliament has ever seen, and it felt amazing to be a part of it.

I worked on the Care Leavers Covenant project which saw Action for Children become an official Care-Leaver Friendly Employer. And along with my team, I assisted with the launch of our Children and Young People’s Participation and Engagement Strategy called ‘Nothing About Me, Without Me’.

Getting a clearer idea of the career path I want to take
During my time at Action for Children, I have met other people who, like me, want to use their experiences to help improve the lives of others.

The past year at Action for Children has also helped shape the direction in which I plan to take my career. I hope to be able to increase my knowledge and skills in campaigning and policy work. Working here, I saw the impact these areas have on the day-to-day lives of children and young people.

I hope to complete my apprenticeship at Distinction level. I want to work alongside the Policy and Campaigns teams whilst also being able to continue my work within Participation. I also want to further the personal growth I have made since starting my role.

I started my apprenticeship fearing that I wouldn’t be able to complete it. Now that I’m near the end of my course, I know that when I finish, I will have gained a Business administration Level 3 Qualification while having had the space to build on my self-confidence. I will also have gained the experience I need to work in a field that I know I love. I am immensely grateful for the opportunities this apprenticeship with Action for Children has given me.

Source:
www.actionforchildren.org.uk